Siskel & Ebert & the Movies Quotes

Context

This line is spoken by film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert in the TV show Siskel & Ebert & the Movies (1986).

The movie reviews of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were the best things to happened to opposable thumbs since Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots.

In 1986, film critics Siskel and Ebert created their show, Siskel & Ebert & the Movies, starring—you guessed it—Siskel, Ebert, and the movies. The movies in question were subject to review and, instead of assigning stars or a letter grade, Siskel and Ebert ultimately condensed their review into one gesture: a thumbs up (yay!) or a thumbs down (boo!)

Since there were two of 'em, the movies they both liked got "two thumbs up."

Where you've heard it

Movies that received a coveted thumb by both Siskel and Ebert proudly proclaimed "Two thumbs up!" on their movie posters. Some parodied it. And some were proud of being rejected.

Professional grouch Richard Corliss believed the thumb was the end of modern thought as we know it.

Additional Notable References:

• Two Thumbs Up was trademarked.
• Ebert put thumbs on hiatus after Siskel's death.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Unless you're a Roman Emperor, there isn't anything pretentious about using your thumbs to express your (dis)approval.